Letter from the Chief Inspector of General Practice

We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection at Layer Road Surgery on 15 March 2016. Overall the practice is rated as good.

Our key findings across all the areas we inspected were as follows:

• Staff knew how to raise concerns, and report safety incidents. Safety information was recorded, monitored, and reviewed to identify trends or recurrent themes. When safety events occurred they were investigated comprehensively. Any issues identified were shared internally with staff members and externally in an honest manner.

• Risks to patients were well managed in an open systematic way. The system for assessing risks included those associated with; premises, equipment, medicines, and infection control.

• Patient care was planned and provided to reflect best practice using recommended current clinical guidance.

• Staff received appropriate on-going training for their roles and further training was encouraged, recognised and planned through leaning events.

• Comprehensive information regarding how to complain was available at the practice and on the practice website.

• The practice staff members had received training regarding the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, and knew who to contact with any concerns.

• The practice was suitably equipped to treat patients and meet their primary care needs. The equipment was checked and maintained to make sure it was safe to use.

• Patient comments were extremely positive when we spoke with them during the inspection. Members of the practice patient participation group were proactive and involved with practice development.

• The leadership structure at the practice was well-established and all the staff members we spoke with said they were supported in their working roles by both the practice management and the GPs.

The area where the provider should make improvement is:

Continue to improve systems to identify the number of carers at the practice as the current number identified is lower than the national average.

Professor Steve Field (CBE FRCP FFPH FRCGP) 

Chief Inspector of General Practice